Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted June 19, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Recently (6 months ago) I started shooting models (pretty girls) and up until now I have been using my Nikon D800 and 55mm Otus and sometimes have tried to get some nice shots with my Leica M gear but with mixed results. With my Nikon gear I have had some fantastic results which got me thinking about getting a Medium Format camera, as a few of my mates that also shoot models are using MF cameras. I have been looking at the Hasselblad H5D 50c and the Pentax 645z and quit a few of the MF forum members in the UK and US mentioned the Leica S as a better allrounder as I can not only use it in the Studio but also in the field where I really like to take my models. Anyway my mate in KL is the owner of the Starhill Leica store and he has a new Leica S with a 70mm Summicron (I think thats what it is) which would be a nice walk around lens and I would also get the 100mm for my portraiture stuff............I would plan to trade in all my M gear. For those of you that know me on here you will now that I have had a love hate relationship with my M gear and really struggle with the rangefinder due to diminishing eyesight. Anyway when I get home in two weeks time I might be the owner of a new Leica S system:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS, Take a look here Trading in all my Leica M gear for a new Leica S. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted June 19, 2015 Share #2 Posted June 19, 2015 Many of us go through changes in photographic goals and associated trial and error regarding gear assessment. The difference for me is that my photo journey has gradually evolved over 40+ years….not packed into 40 days…or was that 40 minutes? Neil, you're a hoot. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 19, 2015 Share #3 Posted June 19, 2015 Many of us go through changes in photographic goals and associated trial and error regarding gear assessment. The difference for me is that my photo journey has gradually evolved over 40+ years….not packed into 40 days…or was that 40 minutes? Neil, you're a hoot. Jeff Love you too mate xxxxx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted June 20, 2015 Share #4 Posted June 20, 2015 I now use the S2 much more than my M. As with most medium format designs you only get one centre AF point of course so there is a lot of lock/recompose. The way I actually use the AF is in MF mode. Sounds counter intuitive I know. That is point and focus/lock with the rear function button and then the focus doesn't change when you recompose and press release button.I ended up getting the optional focus screen with the centre split image and microprism collar (1970's old school!) and I find that is even more precise than the AF. You do lose the cross hairs with the replacement screen though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted June 20, 2015 Share #5 Posted June 20, 2015 I love both my S and M (sounds rather kinky, I suppose!). The S is a wonderful tool in the studio and in relatively controlled situations (inc the photographers pit at concerts), but I find it just a bit unwieldy for candid shots and street stuff. When I am back stage, on the tour bus or at home with artists I know well, they have no problem with me shooting away with my M9 whilst talking, as it's much more discrete that the S. Also the S(006) isn't the perfect low light camera by any means. Still if all you're going to do is shoot models in a studio, I can't think of anything better than the S. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted June 20, 2015 Share #6 Posted June 20, 2015 Neil, studio work aside, do you really want to be out and about traveling with an S system? Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 20, 2015 Share #7 Posted June 20, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Neil, studio work aside, do you really want to be out and about traveling with an S system? Mark Morning Mark I just can't be bothered wrestling with the rangefinder focus system anymore. Ive spent over 3 grand on glasses to try and help and it really is just hit and miss now with nailing focus. I hate the button layout on the Sony A system and have no issues shooting with my Nikon gear especially with the D800 and Otus but its MF and I want AF and its also a money thing. I was really looking at a Hasselblad but rather than dumping another 40 grand into that I might as well just trade in all my M gear (That I no longer want to mess with) and get a Leica S system......... I will be able to get my hands on the S in two weeks time, so I have time to really think about this but as of writing that to me is my best option right now. Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted June 20, 2015 Share #8 Posted June 20, 2015 Neil, you'll love the S. The images are great and it's easy to use. Like Hoppy, I assign the back button to focus - very easy. It's just a lot heavier to carry around, if you're travelling. Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 20, 2015 Share #9 Posted June 20, 2015 Neil, you'll love the S. The images are great and it's easy to use. Like Hoppy, I assign the back button to focus - very easy. It's just a lot heavier to carry around, if you're travelling. Charlie Cheers Charlie I used to take my D4s 70/200 and D800 24mm so a one body with a 120mm and 24mm shouldn't be an issue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 20, 2015 Share #10 Posted June 20, 2015 Just need to try and figure out how much my Leica M gear is worth as far as trading in prices go..........hope its not like a second hand car salesman experience :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 20, 2015 Share #11 Posted June 20, 2015 Bless 'em all, bless 'em all, These bloody corvettes are too small. In a rough sea they'll heave and they'll pitch They'll make you as sick as a son-of-a-bitch And it's up on the railing you'll sprawl, And spew up that good alcohol, So roll on the Rodney, the Hood and Renown, This one-funnelled bastard is getting me down... I must confess, Neil, the way you negotiate photographic hairpins with two wheels off the road is rather disconcerting to bystanders. Obviously the way you spend your money is your business and privilege. However, I do not think that going midformat is going to be very useful for your style of photography. Better stick with your D800, IMO. OTOH, the S system is certainly the healthy choice; a walk with the beast is better than a workout at the Gym. But then, most of your photography is within five yards of your car, I understand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 20, 2015 Share #12 Posted June 20, 2015 I must confess, Neil, the way you negotiate photographic hairpins with two wheels off the road is rather disconcerting to bystanders. Obviously the way you spend your money is your business and privilege. However, I do not think that going midformat is going to be very useful for your style of photography. Better stick with your D800, IMO. OTOH, the S system is certainly the healthy choice; a walk with the beast is better than a workout at the Gym. But then, most of your photography is within five yards of your car, I understand. I wondered how long it will take for you to raise your ugly head again..................When you go out with the S Jaavp do you use a shoulder strap or a hand grip............opps forgot you don't have one, another one of those sit back and take the mickey out of someone trying to improve his or hers enjoyment at taking pictures. Yes you are correct again about the D800 ...............but I don't want to shoot my D800 I want to get a Leica S and if in 6 to 12 months time I want to change then change we will. As for my picture quality...........at least I go out and take pictures :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 20, 2015 Share #13 Posted June 20, 2015 Neil, you'll love the S. The images are great and it's easy to use. Like Hoppy, I assign the back button to focus - very easy. It's just a lot heavier to carry around, if you're travelling. Charlie Charlie, If you set the S to AFC (auto focus continuous) and keep your thumb on the back button while tracking someone walking for instance will it then track?? I have my Nikon gear setup like that and just keep my thumb on the back button and shoot away keeping my thumb planted............... just wondered if the Leica S does the same?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 21, 2015 Share #14 Posted June 21, 2015 I wondered how long it will take for you to raise your ugly head again..................When you go out with the S Jaavp do you use a shoulder strap or a hand grip............opps forgot you don't have one, another one of those sit back and take the mickey out of someone trying to improve his or hers enjoyment at taking pictures. Yes you are correct again about the D800 ...............but I don't want to shoot my D800 I want to get a Leica S and if in 6 to 12 months time I want to change then change we will. As for my picture quality...........at least I go out and take pictures :) Indeed I don't have one. Tried it courtesy of Leica and decided no. Too heavy to carry long term, no real long lenses. Too unwieldy for general use despite good R8-like ergonomics. Not for me, despite being a very nice camera. Superb files too. If you like handling it, bless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted June 21, 2015 Share #15 Posted June 21, 2015 Very nice pictures in your Fineart series, Neil. Not many models, I think. Also landscape photography, perhaps not too far from a car. I wonder about your problems with the rangefinder. But street photography seems to be "nicht Dein Ding". I think too, that a ground glass is favorable for your kind of work, inclusive the models. Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted June 22, 2015 Share #16 Posted June 22, 2015 Charlie, If you set the S to AFC (auto focus continuous) and keep your thumb on the back button while tracking someone walking for instance will it then track?? I have my Nikon gear setup like that and just keep my thumb on the back button and shoot away keeping my thumb planted............... just wondered if the Leica S does the same?? Hi Neil, Not sure, but it will be in one of these videos from Dale Farkas. It probably will do that, but you should check. http://leicarumors.com/2014/04/07/leica-s-type-006-medium-format-camera-instructional-videos.aspx/ Just don't have time to watch them all to find out your answer. Best wishes, Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbl Posted June 23, 2015 Share #17 Posted June 23, 2015 I'm a pretty serious shooter of M's---MM, M240, M246 on order and several film M's---and I ended up also getting a Phase One MF system around a year ago. The combination, such as it is, can barely be called that since the formats are so different. For me, I told my dealer that I was a Leica shooter so I didn't really have an resolution complaints, I was more looking for a different shooting experience. He loaned me one and I told him this is only going to end with me loving it or hating it. It ended with me loving it. The format, the way you work with the cameras are so fundamentally different, it's really quite nice. Image quality isn't even close between the two, it's not even a fair battle, but the cameras both perform excellently, are quirky in their own ways, but all produce gorgeous images. If you're going MF, especially for studio work, you have to go leaf shutter. The Pentax 645 is an impressive camera, but the deal breaker for me was 1/125 sync, especially in medium format. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 23, 2015 Share #18 Posted June 23, 2015 I'm a pretty serious shooter of M's---MM, M240, M246 on order and several film M's---and I ended up also getting a Phase One MF system around a year ago. The combination, such as it is, can barely be called that since the formats are so different. For me, I told my dealer that I was a Leica shooter so I didn't really have an resolution complaints, I was more looking for a different shooting experience. He loaned me one and I told him this is only going to end with me loving it or hating it. It ended with me loving it. The format, the way you work with the cameras are so fundamentally different, it's really quite nice. Image quality isn't even close between the two, it's not even a fair battle, but the cameras both perform excellently, are quirky in their own ways, but all produce gorgeous images. If you're going MF, especially for studio work, you have to go leaf shutter. The Pentax 645 is an impressive camera, but the deal breaker for me was 1/125 sync, especially in medium format. That's exactly why I decided to go with the Leica S 007 and Leica CS lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbl Posted June 23, 2015 Share #19 Posted June 23, 2015 Makes total sense. I was split between the S and the phase one and then just started falling in love with the P1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wk Posted June 23, 2015 Share #20 Posted June 23, 2015 Leaf shutters a great, but not really an absolute must for the studio. A short flash duration in a dark studio can freeze action quite well. There are also 2 leaf shutter lenses for the Pentax that allow 1/500 sync albeit being MF only. There are also the 67 LS lens that can be adapted. All that being said, I would like an S, but the price of the lenses is a stretch for me. I'm a pretty serious shooter of M's---MM, M240, M246 on order and several film M's---and I ended up also getting a Phase One MF system around a year ago. The combination, such as it is, can barely be called that since the formats are so different. For me, I told my dealer that I was a Leica shooter so I didn't really have an resolution complaints, I was more looking for a different shooting experience. He loaned me one and I told him this is only going to end with me loving it or hating it. It ended with me loving it.The format, the way you work with the cameras are so fundamentally different, it's really quite nice. Image quality isn't even close between the two, it's not even a fair battle, but the cameras both perform excellently, are quirky in their own ways, but all produce gorgeous images.If you're going MF, especially for studio work, you have to go leaf shutter. The Pentax 645 is an impressive camera, but the deal breaker for me was 1/125 sync, especially in medium format. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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